SoS: June 15, 2015 - June 21, 2015

Prep: Hot shower, Neutrogena Invigorating Face Wash, TSD Jasmine Sambac preshave balm
Brush: Simpson 56 Best Badger
Soap: Stirling Glacial Obsidian
Razor: RazoRock Bamboozled RAKE OC
Blade: Bolzano (4)
Passes: WTG, XTG (8, 9)
Post: Cold water splash, Dickinson's WH, Myrsol Metilsol AS splash
Cologne: Silk Mood (sample, last drops)

After feedback from my last SotD, I'll just say that this was a 2-pass, SAS shave with less than stellar lather and a blade on its last legs. I skipped the Bloc Osma because I used the Metilsol.

 

World Tournament of Blades - Russia vs. the World!!
June 16, 2015
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - VDH Boar
Soap - Proraso Green Tub
Razor - '59 Ball Handle Tech
Blade - (1)
Post - Alum, Nivea Balm

Off to the final round on the World side of the sweet sixteen. We're on our way to Turkey to pick up one of the most common blades found...the Derby Extra. This is the usual blade sent with new razors unless they're Merkurs. Everybody has heard of Derby, everyone has learned to hate Derby from the day they first receive them (even if they don't use them) and yet they continue to be bought and sold in great numbers. Is it because they come from the land of Arko? Is it because they are so common to newbie shavers that they just get ordered automatically? Or....and hold onto your hats here.....could they actually be a good blade with a bad reputation? Shaving minds want to know!!!

I have never tried a Derby but SWMBO loves them. So, I chose to include them in the tournament given their ubiquity in the hobby. Now, putting it up against the Feather might seem totally unfair but hey, I'm no huge fan of the Feather so why not put two opposites together (if they really are) and see what happens?

Great lather with the Proraso and VDH Boar and off we go to the first pass. The Ball Handle Tech is a mild razor, chosen to match up well with the Feather, but I assumed it would also perform well with a blade like Derby. I was proven right. Very nice first pass. I've seen this blade called dull...it isn't. It's not the sharpest but definitely far from the dullest. Got a nice first pass, very smooth....as in I had to look to make sure the blade was loaded. Second pass, XTG again very smooth and effective. Decided to go for the full third pass given the fact my neck was still not quite DFS and just to see what was left. Much to my surprise the third pass proved there was little left to do ATG on my face and I ended with a rather aggressive Gillette Slide on both sides of my neck to finish with..................BBS! Wow.

The problem with an agressive Gslide is the fact that irritation is often born there. I rinsed with cold, grabbed the alum and discovered the faintest hint of irritation on the one spot I went at hardest. Other than that it was so mild I nearly forgot to rinse after a minute. I applied the Nivea with no further irritation and had a great shave! Apparently the multi-coated (Chromium/Ceramic/Platinum/Tungsten/Polymer) while taking some of the sharp edge off adds smoothness that compensates for it. At least for me.

Scores - Sharpness - 2. Not bad at all but definitely a bit less sharp than ones I usually use. Smoothness - 1. No worries here. Irritation - 1. It has to burn before it can get anything less. Result - BBS - 1. Who saw that coming, right?

Total - 5!

A great score that sets the stage for the Feather to have to go even further. Can you feel the tension?

 

I am doing a 30 Day Rule with MITA in July! I can't wait!

 

Razor: Gillette 195 Fat Boy (f1) 1960 (5)
Brush: Erskine Badger 1947
Mug: Old Spice 1985 Cobalt Blue
Cream: Castle Forbes cedarwood & sandalwood cream
Blade: Feather (1)
Post shave: Thayers Cucumber WH, Jack Black balm, Old Spice original Shulton 1983 Porcelain Sail Boat
The Castle makes a fast warm lather with a nice slick cushion. Compared to the Truefitt&Hill, the Castle, even though it's great is not as slick. The heavy handle and head of my FB helped with the Feather, made quick work in 2 passes. The WH felt good, nice and cool. After cleanup some JB and when it dries some Vintage Shulton Old Spice, that's nice! Have a good one y'all!

 

Very nice Big Fellow in Gold!

 

The MITA is wonderful!

 

Tuesday Morning Shave

Pre: shower
Razor: Merkur 23c
Blade: Voskhod
Cream: TOBS St. James
Brush: Plisson Synthetic
Post: Clubman Pinaud

Still trying out the Plisson Synthetic. Still not much of a fan of it, but still trying to get used to it.

 

What don't you like about it?

 

I'm not going to say I don't like something about it yet. I'm not ready. Just not a fan so far. It doesn't seem to have a lot of backbone to it.

 

SOTD 6-16-15

RAZOR: MAGGARD 18C
BLADE: LORD (4TH USE)
BRUSH: OMEGA S SYNTHETIC
BOWL: VDH
SOAP: CRABTREE & EVELYN INDIAN SANDALWOOD
POST: CVS BRAND AQUA VELVA

Did a quick 2 pass shave today. I went to the mall a few days ago and picked up C&E Sandalwood and some Cade. the C&E did not lather too well. it looked like a bath soap lather. lots of large bubbles and it dissipated as soon as i put the lather to my face. right after the shave i grated the soap in a bowl and added a small amount of water. i am hoping this will help but so far i am very disappointed in this soap. the scent is great so i really hope i can figure out how to get a good lather with it. I tend to have hope in an under performing soap (like Williams) and i will experiment and do all i can to get great results. have a great shave everyone!!

 

is this a custom soap? i ha ve the regular Cryogen but the lemon/lime sounds like it would be awesome.

 

i have not heard of Crusella & co products. how is the scent?

 

Pic only today-great shave.

 

Yes, I whipped this up myself. I bought a tin of his Cryogen that he made up with too much aloe vera in it that he was selling for $7.99 and since it was a really soft crop I added a boat load of lemon and lime EO to override the hyper menthol to make up this custom blend for myself. It is indeed awesome and I possibly may try doing the same with the regular soap version.

 

i have a sample of Cryogen i haven't tried yet. i heard about that batch you are talking about but i missed out on it i have added EO to soaps before with great results. especially since the scents are an important part of the shave for me

 

SOTD JUNE 16th​

1. Ladas blade/1
2. Proraso blue
3. Alum
4. PAA Preshave soap
5. Myrsol antesol+ emulsion
6. Semogue 1305

 

Thank you for your kind words it shaves wonderfully with the Nacet blade.

 

PAL Injecto-matic Razor,
with China Schick Blade (2),
Edwin Jagger STF XL brush,
Lather-up with Cold River Soap Works 'Bay Rum,'
Finish with water, Witch Hazel
and Pinaud Special Reserve

 

the scents are nice. they don't last very long,but they are alcohol based after shaves/ astringents. they are normally pretty inexpensive, and come in several scented versions. ideal for scent matching fans.
they can normally be found in most Spanish grocery stores, look near the religious candles.
but to answer your question the scents are nice.

 

SOTD 06.16.2015
June Open Comb Focus

Prep: Coconut oil, hot shower
Razor: Gillette New SC
Blade: Voskhod
Brush: Omega 10083 Boar Brush
Lather: Proraso Green Soap
Post: Cold rinse, Alum, Witch hazel, Proraso Green AS

Very nice and refreshing shave. I'm starting to enjoy more of the mentholated soaps as the heat rises.